10 Of The Best: New Theatre To Enjoy This Week

Another week in this strange new world. A lot seems to have happened in the last 7 days and there's still a lot of uncertainty for the future. One thing we do know though is that this next week is full of fantastic stagey content online and in person including a Broadway hit coming to Netflix, the re-opening of one of London's finest venues and some fab online concerts. Here's how to keep up your stagey fix this week:

IN PERSON

WHAT?

Having recently enjoyed new productions both online and at the Minack Theatre, The Last Five Years is back in London, with a real audience. This production was enjoying rave reviews at Southwark Playhouse before the pandemic made the run finish early, so now it is picking up where it left off, re-opening the brilliant venue with a new run of Jason Robert Browns iconic show. Oli Higginson and Molly Lynch are reprising their roles as Cathy and Jamie - the lovers who tell the story of their five year relationship, one from beginning to end and the other starting at the end and working backwards.

WHEN?

The show opens on Thursday 1st October and is playing until Saturday 14th November. Previews are sold out but tickets are available from next week.

WHERE?

Southwark Playhouse is a minutes walk from Elephant & Castle Station. Tickets are available from southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

WHAT?

West End Musical Drive In have not one but two concerts to enjoy this weekend. Saturday sees a We Will Rock You reunion starring Oliver Tompsett, Jenny O'Leary, Lauren Samuels and Amy Bartolomeo. Sunday features a special screening of the recent Godspell online concert with some of the cast from the show performing on stage. Darren Day, Jodie Steele, Danyl Johnson, Jenny Fitzpatrick, John Barr, Sally Ann Triplett, Matthew Croke and Alison Jiear will be performing in person, while performances from Sam Tutty, Ruthie Henshall and Ria Jones are among some of the ones being screened.

WHEN?

Catch the We Will Rock You inspired concert on Saturday 3rd October and the Godspell concert on Sunday 4th October - both at 2pm.

WHERE?

The drive in is located near Enfield and tickets are available from https://www.westendmusicaldrivein.co.uk/. For the Godspell event, a buy one get one free offer is on as part of a 'Drive Out To Help Out' initiative.

WHAT?

It's a brilliant week for The Crazy Coqs at Zedel with some top name West End performers filling the week. The Crazy Coqs Presents continue their series with a concert from Melissa Jacques, while the venue is also hosting a double hander from Lauren Samuels & Sophie Evans celebrating the work of Judy Garland as well as a concert from Sharon Rose & Chris Hatt and a chance to see the brilliant Natasha Barnes & Vikki Stone in their show Funny Gals.

WHEN?

Lauren Samuels & Sophie Evans are on Tuesday 29th September at 6.30pm while Sharon Rose & Chris Hatt are on Tuesday 29th September at 8.30pm, Melissa Jacques is on Wednesday 30th September, Natasha Barnes & Vikki Stone's Funny Gals is Friday 2nd October.

WHERE?

The venue is located a stones throw from Piccadilly Circus, right opposite the Piccadilly theatre. Tickets can be available to see in person for all shows or as online streams for some of them from https://www.brasseriezedel.com/events/

WHAT?

Nightclub G-A-Y are continuing lending their stage to West end performers with a Six themed show this week. Queens Natalie May Paris and Danielle Steers will be performing alongside Sean Parkins.

WHEN?

Saturday 3rd October. Usually performances are in the wee small hours but due to government guidelines forcing the club to close at 10pm, the performance will be at 8.30pm

WHERE?

G-A-Y is at Heaven Nightclub next to Charing Cross station,

ONLINE

WHAT?

The first of two Broadway adaptations directed by Ryan Murphy to premiere on Netflix in the next three months, The Boys In The Band won a Tony award for its revival on Broadway in 2018. Starring Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer and Andrew Rannells, the film tells the story of a group of gay friends reuniting to celebrate one of their birthdays with an unexpected turn of events.

WHEN?

It premieres on Wednesday 30th September

WHERE?

Catch it on little known streaming website Netflix.

WHAT?

The Shows Must Go On is continuing its 'The Greats On Tour' season with a concert from Michael Ball on his Past and Present tour. Filmed at the Royal Albert Hall in 2009, the show celebrated 25 years of Michaels career and includes songs from Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar and Hairspray to name just a few.

WHEN?

Catch it on Friday 2nd October at 7pm. It will be available to watch on demand for 48 hours only.

WHERE?

It will be available on youtube.com/theshowsmustgoon

WHAT?

The Theatre Cafe have teamed up with Adam Blanshay to launch The Theatre Channel. Episode 1 premieres this week and features performances from Carrie Hope Fletcher and Oliver Ormson singing 'Suddenly Seymour', Lucie Jones singing 'Maybe This Time' with other performances from Tarinn Callender, Matt Henry MBE, Jenna Russell and Jodie Steele.

Episode 1 premieres on Friday 2nd October

WHERE?

Tickets cost £12 and are available from https://www.thetheatrecafe.co.uk/channel/

WHAT?

Your third chance to see Jodie Steele this week with her very own Night Cap concert as part of the series from Paul Taylor Mills & The Theatre Cafe. With credits including Heathers and Six, expect some incredible vocals from this star.

WHEN?

Catch it on Thursday 1st October at 8pm

WHERE?

Tickets cost £8 from https://www.thetheatrecafe.co.uk/event/night-cap-with-jodie-steele/

WHAT?

Tonight At The London Coliseum continues this week with a concert from one of the greatest talents in the West end - the wonderful Cassidy Janson. Expect songs from her career including &Juliet and Beautiful.

WHEN?

The concert airs on Friday 2nd October at 7.30pm

WHERE?

Tickets cost £15 and can be purchased from https://www.stream.theatre/coliseum

WHAT?

'In The Wings' kicked off its second series last week. The series focuses on brand new musicals that are waiting to be performed on stage. This weeks title is 'You And I' with the intriguing premise of a super intelligent robot turning up at your door to ask about the origins of the universe, karaoke and the meaning of porn. The show will feature performances from a mixture of recent graudates and west end performers.

WHEN?

Catch it on Friday 2nd October at 7.30pm

WHERE?

youtube.com/InTheWingsLive

Looks like another fantastic week for theatre. If there is anything I'm missing or you'd like to be included in next weeks post, let me know on twitter.com/ATDazzles